What Others Say

State and national aerospace, military and political leaders are enthusiastic about the potential impact Spaceport Camden will have on the growth of Georgia’s economics and academics.

“Having overseen the Eastern Range for the United States Air Force and been involved with commercial space for the past decade, I can attest to the growing launch demand in the commercial space sector. Spaceport Camden is an ideal location for the safe launch of the small satellites and rockets that are rapidly becoming the most important segment of this new market.”

Major General Robert S. Dickman

USAF (ret.)Camden County Resident

“If approved, this project will serve as the foundation for a space sector transformation in Southeast Georgia. It will create both direct and indirect jobs and increase tourism. This project would be a boost to both higher education and STEM programs across the state.”

”...the State of Georgia should be extremely proud of the significant achievement by Camden County in obtaining complete enough status from the FAA. If approved, Spaceport Camden’s launch site operator’s license will represent a significant catalyst both for economic development, and for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)...”

Dr. George Nield

Former Associate Administrator for Commercial SpaceTransporation, FAA

“Camden County is showing what is possible when local leaders come together, think outside of the traditional box, and find a way to maximize their community’s greatest assets. The state of Georgia is firmly behind Camden County and we encourage the FAA to swiftly approve its Launch Site Operator’s License application.”

Governor Brian Kemp

State of Georiga

“With the acceptance of Spaceport Camden’s Launch Site Operator License application by the FAA, we are on the cusp of bringing high tech, high paying aerospace jobs to coastal Georgia and new STEM education opportunities to all our students.”

Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan

State of Georgia

“Spaceport Camden may begin to help reverse that trend [of losing educated Georgians to other states] by creating high-paying technical jobs in Camden County, surrounding counties, and the Georgia coast.”

Newt Gingrich

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

“The Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay and the Spaceport can certainly coexist. We’ve seen nuclear powered warships moor at Cape Canaveral for decades with no issues whatsoever. Clearly, operational agreements will be made, communications protocols will be necessary, and emergency assistance sharing would assist both entities.”

“The aerospace industry in Georgia is strong and Georgia’s favorable business climate, Camden’s aerospace history, high tech military workforce and advantageous geographical location make Spaceport Camden a desirable location for both manufacturing and launching spacecraft.”

MISSION POSSIBLEInnovation Research Park & Educational Opportunities

COMMERCIAL SPACE:An Emerging Industry For Georgia

Online Poll

If a visitor center was made available to view launches, would you view a launch?

Yes

No

FAQs

What is the history of the Spaceport Camden proposed site?

Back in the 1960s, the world's most powerful rocket motor was fired in Camden County on the
proposed site of Spaceport Camden. The rocket belonged to the Thiokol Chemical Company,
whose purpose was to build solid-propellant rocket motors. The 1976 book
titled Camden's Challenge discussed the proposed site and how the area of
this launch site was once chosen by the Thiokal survey team over several other sites partly
because of its deepwater access to the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition, the Thiokol
rocket test area site was also selected because of its proximity to Cape Canaveral,
available labor supply, adequate available land, community attitude, rail and highway
transportation system and its five-year record without hurricane damage. These same factors make
this an ideal location today for Spaceport Camden.

How large is the Space Economy?

According to the Space Report 2015, the global space economy grew by 9% in 2014, reaching a
total of $330 Billion worldwide. Together, commercial space activities made up 76% of the
global space economy and grew 9.7% in 2014. The remainder was composed of government
investments in space, which experienced a combined growth of 7.3% in 2014. See page 2 of The Space
Report 2015/The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity.

Why is Camden County seeking designation as a spaceport?

Camden County, Georgia has an exciting opportunity to make History
again!

In the 1960s, the world's most powerful rocket motor was fired right here in Camden
County. Our southerly location and favorable launch azimuths enable more payload to
orbit with minimal environmental impact and maximum benefit to commercial spaceflight
companies. The emerging commercial space market is poised to fuel the future growth in
Georgia's space industry. This presents an exciting opportunity for Camden
County!

Camden can also leverage a state asset, The Georgia Institute of Technology's Guggenheim
School of Aerospace Engineering, which is the largest aerospace engineering program in the United
States. Former Technical Chief with NASA and Georgia Tech professor, Dr. Bobby Braun
said, "If approved, this project will serve as the foundation for a space sector
transformation in Southeast Georgia. It will create both direct and indirect jobs
and increase tourism. This project would be a boost to both higher education and STEM
programs across the state."

With the rebranding of Georgia's east coast to Georgia's Space Coast, and the
establishment of Interstate 95 as the High-Tech Corridor within coastal Georgia, the
state of Georgia and Camden County will be well positioned to capitalize on the global
$304 billion space industry.

How is a Spaceport designation determined?

A Spaceport designation is determined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through a
licensing and permitting process. The Office of Commercial Space Transportation conducts a
review of the license or permits application including a policy review, payload review, financial
determination, environmental review and safety review.

Policy Review- Determines whether a proposed launch would jeopardize U.S.
National Security, International Obligations or Foreign Policy interests.

Payload Review- Determines if a license applicant or payload owner or
operator has obtained all required licenses, authorizations, and permits. Does not apply
to payloads under the jurisdiction of any other government agency.

Financial Responsibility Determination- Proof of financial responsibility is
required. This is usually fulfilled by purchase of liability insurance.

Environmental Review- Proposals must be reviewed under NEPA (National
Environmental Policy Act). Upon completion, this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
will fulfill the environmental review portion of the license application (after the FAA
publishes the Final EIS and Record Decision).

Safety Review- Determines if an applicant can safely conduct the launch of
the proposed launch vehicle(s) and payload(s).

For this project, will an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) be required? What will the EIS tell us and how long will it take to complete?

Yes, an Environmental Impact Statement is required in moving forward with the Spaceport Camden
project. The period of performance for all work requested is anticipated to be
twenty-four (24) months or less following contract award.

As lead agency, the FAA has selected an independent contractor ("Contractor") to prepare
the EIS. The Camden County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will be the party
responsible for engaging and retaining a contractor with funds provided by the BOCC.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process: NEPA requires Federal agencies to evaluate
the potential environmental impacts of any proposed major Federal action and to inform and involve
the public in the decision-making process.For Spaceport Camden, the FAA will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will include:

Why the action is being proposed (Purpose and Need)

What is the action (Proposed Action)

Reasonable alternatives to the action

A description of the existing conditions at the proposed site

An evaluation of the impacts of the Proposed Action and the alternatives, including the No
Action Alternative, and any necessary mitigation measures

Public involvement is a key component of the NEPA process. The public can provide comments on any
part of the EIS, including:

Purpose and Need

Proposed Action

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

Environmental Issues or Concerns

Two opportunities to provide input:

The Scoping Period

The Draft EIS Comment Period Notice

What is the licensing and Permitting Process?

Spaceport Camden must apply to the FAA for a
Launch Site Operator License as described in 14 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter III, Parts
400-450, including Part 420, License to Operate a Launch Site.

Concurrently, the FAA conducts policy, location, safety, and environmental reviews for applications
before making a licensing determination.

Successful completion of the environmental review does not guarantee that the FAA will issue a
Launch Site Operator License.The EIS process is expected to take 24 months. Individual launch
operators proposing to launch from the site will be required to obtain a launch license and/or
permit.

Policy Review – A review to determine whether potential exists to
affect U.S. national security, foreign policy interests, or international obligations. (This
review includes an Interagency Review.)

Launch Site Location Review – The Applicant must demonstrate that, for
each launch facility, at least one type of expendable or reusable launch vehicle can be flown
safely.

Safety Review – The Applicant is responsible for public safety and must
demonstrate an understanding of the hazards and discuss how operations will be performed safely.

Environmental Review – Proposal must be reviewed under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This Environmental Impact Statement process fulfills the
environmental review portion of the license application. No decision can be made or license
issued until the NEPA process is completed.

Why launch from the proposed launch site in Camden County,
Georgia?

This prime location provides direct access to an
orbital inclination as large as any launch site in the United States. Combined with wide range of
favorable launch azimuths, this velocity advantages enables launch operators to deliver more payload
mass to orbit.

What is the proximity of the Camden Spaceport to cutting-edge
Space Technology?

Located on the Georgia-Florida border, Camden County provides ready access to cutting-edge space
research and technology. The Georgia Institute of Technology is a top tier research university
with established space technology programs. Each year, Georgia Tech graduates more than 200
students with interests in space systems engineering and space science. Georgia Tech’s
Center for Space Technology and Research brings together a wide range of space science, space
technology and space research activities including efforts on the frontiers of astrophysics, Earth
science, planetary science, robotics, space policy, space technology and space systems
engineering.

What type of construction activities are proposed?

Vertical Launch Facility

Landing Zone

Operations Support Facilities

Do you have customers/launch providers secured?

We are currently in discussions with multiple launch providers. The County will continue to
establish public-private partnerships.

How often would rocket launches be scheduled at Camden
Spaceport?

Major operation activities being evaluated in the EIS include up to twelve orbital vertical
launches and landings per year using various rocket propellants as well as recovering spent stages
at sea that may be barged back to the site for rehabilitation and reuse. In addition, the EIS will
evaluate offsite communication, control, and launch facilities, and public and media viewing
areas.